Biscuit Question

[custard]

I've got a simple little job to do and I think I'll break out the biscuit jointer to do it. However, I rarely use a biscuit jointer so I'd appreciate some advice from one of the biscuit gurus on the forum!

I need to put some shelves inside an existing larder unit, because these shelves will be half width the simplest solution seems to be a "ladder" arrangement of two upright sides and a series of shelves biscuited between them. This freestanding unit would then sit in the existing unit and provide the shelves. All very straightforward.

However, to prevent racking and to prevent the veneered MDF shelves from sagging, I want to fix 3" wide aprons under the rear of the shelves and also attach them to the sides. I'd rather do it this way than fit a back, as I'd have to order in back material but I've already got plenty of oak venereed MDF.

My question is about layout and order of work. Is the best method to attach the aprons to the shelves, cut the shelf to side biscuits, and then have a dry assembly at which point I'd mark out the biscuit locations for the apron to side joints. or should I just mark out and biscuit the whole thing in one go without any interim assembly?

Thanks

 

[longinthetooth]

Your method is more foolproof, but I'd mark all slots, cut them, then glue and assemble all in one. Of course there are things to think about such as reference faces / edges etc for all ops. Biscuits have a few mm longitudinal fitting tolerance ('along the biscuit') but virtually none 'across the biscuit'.